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Get ready for another deep freeze

Published: Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 11:15 p.m.

As several local bridges and overpasses thawed and reopened Saturday, forecasters issued predictions that more wintry weather is coming.

“A significant Arctic air mass is expected to move into the Deep South behind a strong cold front late Monday into Wednesday,” the National Weather Service in Slidell said in an advisory late Saturday night. “There is great deal of uncertainty at this time, but there is a chance of seeing another round of a wintry mix of precipitation late Monday night through Tuesday night.”

A similar dose of icy weather shut down U.S. 90 between Amelia and La. 311 in both directions from around 7 p.m. Friday until mid-day Saturday, State Police Troop C said.

In Lafourche, the Valentine, Rita, St. Charles Bypass and Belleview bridges closed Friday night, causing delays on La. 1 and La. 308. The Jackson Street Bridge in Thibodaux and Bayou Dularge Overpass in Houma were also closed Friday night.

All of the Houma-Thibodaux area roads and bridges affected were reopened by Saturday afternoon, police said.

Today was expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 63 degrees and a low tonight around 53, the Weather Service said.

On Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a high near 63. Winds will become northerly in the afternoon, reaching about 20 mph that night, when the low temperature will sink to 34 degrees.

On Tuesday, the Weather Service calls for a slight chance of snow, and forecasters say there is a 40 percent chance of rain and sleet. Temperatures will range from a high 38 degrees to a low of 27.

Wednesday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 41 and a low around 32. It will start to warm on Thursday.

“Widespread hard freeze and freeze conditions are likely during the nights and mornings starting Monday night and continuing through Thursday morning,” the Weather Service said.

Wind rushing underneath area bridges can cause them to ice over quickly, authorities said, and motorists are urged to exercise caution. Motorists that witness hazardous situations are asked to call State Police at *LSP (*577).

<p>As several local bridges and overpasses thawed and reopened Saturday, forecasters issued predictions that more wintry weather is coming.</p><p>“A significant Arctic air mass is expected to move into the Deep South behind a strong cold front late Monday into Wednesday,” the National Weather Service in Slidell said in an advisory late Saturday night. “There is great deal of uncertainty at this time, but there is a chance of seeing another round of a wintry mix of precipitation late Monday night through Tuesday night.”</p><p>A similar dose of icy weather shut down U.S. 90 between Amelia and La. 311 in both directions from around 7 p.m. Friday until mid-day Saturday, State Police Troop C said.</p><p>In Lafourche, the Valentine, Rita, St. Charles Bypass and Belleview bridges closed Friday night, causing delays on La. 1 and La. 308. The Jackson Street Bridge in Thibodaux and Bayou Dularge Overpass in Houma were also closed Friday night.</p><p>All of the Houma-Thibodaux area roads and bridges affected were reopened by Saturday afternoon, police said.</p><p>Today was expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 63 degrees and a low tonight around 53, the Weather Service said.</p><p>On Monday, there is a 30 percent chance of rain, with a high near 63. Winds will become northerly in the afternoon, reaching about 20 mph that night, when the low temperature will sink to 34 degrees.</p><p>On Tuesday, the Weather Service calls for a slight chance of snow, and forecasters say there is a 40 percent chance of rain and sleet. Temperatures will range from a high 38 degrees to a low of 27.</p><p>Wednesday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 41 and a low around 32. It will start to warm on Thursday.</p><p>“Widespread hard freeze and freeze conditions are likely during the nights and mornings starting Monday night and continuing through Thursday morning,” the Weather Service said. </p><p>Wind rushing underneath area bridges can cause them to ice over quickly, authorities said, and motorists are urged to exercise caution. Motorists that witness hazardous situations are asked to call State Police at *LSP (*577).</p>